Iraqi authorities must investigate ‘massacre’ at Sunni mosque

The Iraqi authorities must properly investigate the unlawful killing of dozens of worshippers at a Sunni mosque north-east of the capital Baghdad today, Amnesty International said.

About 70 people are believed to have been killed and dozens injured by a suicide bomb at a mosque in Diyala province during Friday prayers, amid conflicting reports about who was responsible for the attack.

“The Iraqi authorities must launch an urgent and independent investigation into this massacre and bring those responsible to justice. Any resulting prosecutions must be conducted fairly and without resort to the death penalty,” said Said Boumedouha, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director.

“Once again, civilians in Iraq are bearing the brunt of the conflict. All warring parties must do more to ensure they are protected.”
Some reports have said Shia militias carried out the attack, while the Iraqi military said the Sunni jihadist group Islamic State (formerly known as ISIS) is responsible.